Boggs Paving holds bypass rally

Boggs Paving and other companies contracted to build the Monroe Bypass will hold a support rally and free barbecue Tuesday.

The event coincides with an N.C. Department of Transportation public meeting about the project Tuesday night at the same location.

"The free community BBQ provides supporters of the bypass an opportunity to voice concerns and get answers from the developers of the project," a press release said. "All Union County residents in support of the Monroe Bypass are encouraged to attend and invite supporters."

The event is sponsored by the Monroe Bypass Constructors, a limited liability corporation that includes Boggs Paving and United Infrastructure Group.

It is rare that a transportation project is the focus of a rally, but county residents who believe the bypass will relieve traffic congestion are frustrated with construction delays, Boggs Paving Executive Assistant Janie Auret said.

"It started out as an idea to get supporters of the project to come out to some of the public meetings," Auret said. "A lot of times, the people in favor of the project might decide to just stay at home but we wanted to have an event to try to get more of the supporters to come out and show support."

The Boggs Paving release also states rally attendees can "sign a petition to inform River Keepers of their frustration with the lack of progress on this state approved project."

The Yadkin Riverkeeper, along with Clean Air Carolina and N.C. Wildlife Federation, filed a lawsuit against state and federal transportation officials claiming the original environmental impact study did not do a true comparison of projected development without construction of the road to development with the road completed. A federal appeals court halted work on the bypass in May 2012. NCDOT began revising parts of the study scrutinized by appeals court judges and re-released their study last month.

Tuesday's barbecue coincides with an NCDOT public hearing about the newly released environmental impact study. The meeting times originally stated to the public were incorrect, according to NCDOT mailings received by county residents this week.

From 4 to 6 p.m., the public can drop in to ask questions of NCDOT officials. The public hearing will begin at 7 p.m.

For information on the Boggs Paving rally and barbecue for the Monroe Bypass, email questions to info@boggspaving.com.

The rally will be held Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Union County Agriculture Center Room A, 3230-D Presson Road in Monroe. The NCDOT public hearing will begin at 7 p.m.